Woody Allen to shoot Rome movie

Italy's Medusa boards pic as producer

It’s official: After making New York, London, Barcelona and Paris his muses, Woody Allen will shoot his next movie in Rome this summer, with Italy’s Medusa as producer.

“I love these sophisticated and civilized metropolises,” said Allen, who is expected in the Italian capital March 26 to play with his New Orleans jazz band at the Auditorium Conciliazione theater.

“Each time it’s been like writing a love letter to these places and projecting my feelings for them on the screen. I hope to be able to do the same with Rome.”

The as-yet-untitled movie is still in script stage. It will be the first international production for Medusa, which has distributed several of Allen’s recent movies.

His regular producers Letty Aronson and Helen Robin will shepherd.

Movie will be eligible for Italy’s generous 25% tax credits for international productions capped at $7 million.

Allen has a long-standing rapport with Italy, where his movies regularly reap stellar grosses. Several have preemed at the Venice Film Festival, most recently “Cassandra’s Dream” in 2007.

Helmer’s Paris-set romantic comedy “Midnight in Paris,” featuring an ensemble cast including Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard and French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, will open the Cannes Film Festival in May.